Transport needs fundamental rethink

David Howarth has demanded a fundamental change in Government transport policy putting the environment at its heart.

Mr. Howarth questioned Leader of the House, Jack Straw, about transport policy in the House of Commons yesterday.

Mr. Howarth commented:

"The Department of Transport still believes that increasing carbon emissions are an inevitable consequence of economic growth and as a result continues to promote new airports and new roads rather than take seriously the reality of global warming.

"The Stern Report clearly showed that global warming will seriously damage the UK's economy. Government departments cannot continue acting as though the environment is an entirely separate and lesser concern than the economy.

"If the Department of Transport is serious about reducing carbon emissions they should be investing in public transport in areas of growth such as Cambridge. We need to put the investment where the people are. These are the areas which, without proper investment in public transport, will be producing ever greater carbon dioxide emissions."